Conductive grease NOT dielectric grease!

[Zagando]

 :nono

One thing that really bugs me about most of the tech articles found on IBMWR and elsewhere is that often we are advised to use dielectric grease on electrical connections. 

While dielectric grease will help prevent corrosion it does nothing to promote conductivity; the definition of dielectric is anything that is electrically non-conductive!

Yes, dielectric grease actually is inhibiting good connections!

There is so much misinformation on the Internet these days that I know my heads-up here is nothing more than a drop in the bucket but I thought many of you fellow brick riders might want to know.  I just want to set the record straight as best I can.

So what to use instead of dielectric grease?  Conductive grease such as Noalox, GB Ox-Guard or any anti-sieze with preferably copper as the main ingredient (aluminum is a very close second) will help prevent corrosion while maintaining and promoting electrical conductivity.  I use Noalox on all of my electrical connections on my bike as well as on my antenna connections that are outdoors and exposed to the elements (I'm also a licensed radio amateur) and it really makes a difference.  Inox is an Australian product similar to WD-40 that is also good but as it's in spray form it won't last as long as Noalox or anti-sieze.

I have no vested interested in Noalox or similar products---but it is something that is readily obtainable at most big box hardware stores and a little bottle will last a lifetime.

[rbm]

A commonly available spray called DeoxIT will serve both purposes -- cleaning contacts, promoting better conductivity as well as providing a long term coating that inhibits the corrosion that causes electrical problems.  DeoxIT is readily available from many sources in many countries which makes it a good product to recommend because of this ubiquity.  I've personally used it myself with excellent results and would highly recommend it to anyone else.  (I have no financial interests in DeoxIt or the company who makes it)

[frankenduck]

Do you guys seriously have such connection problems that you need to worry about this kind of thing?  I never put stuff on contacts.  And if I feel the need to I just use the wonder chemical WD-40. (It's not conductive either.)

I suppose I can see it if you live right on the coast and there's lots of salt in the air....

[rbm]

Kind of Catch-22.  I don't have connection problems because I've treated all of my connections on my bikes with DeoxIT.  It's a pre-emptive action, before problems arise.  It's standard procedure for me as part of the fluids change as with any new bike purchase now.

[Inge K.]

Do you guys seriously have such connection problems that you need to worry about this kind of thing?  I never put stuff on contacts.  And if I feel the need to I just use the wonder chemical WD-40. (It's not conductive either.)

+1.

During 26 years of ownership on my oldest K, I have only used...WD 40 on the different connectors.
All the genuine connectors is still on the bike (even the tank connector), and functions.

Inge K.

[Chaos]

Do you guys seriously have such connection problems that you need to worry about this kind of thing?  I never put stuff on contacts.  And if I feel the need to I just use the wonder chemical WD-40. (It's not conductive either.)

+1.

During 26 years of ownership on my oldest K, I have only used...WD 40 on the different connectors.
All the genuine connectors is still on the bike (even the tank connector), and functions.

Inge K.

ditto, except internal speedo cluster connections.  They really need all the conductive help they can get.

[Rick G]

Do you guys seriously have such connection problems that you need to worry about this kind of thing?  I never put stuff on contacts.  And if I feel the need to I just use the wonder chemical WD-40. (It's not conductive either.)

I suppose I can see it if you live right on the coast and there's lots of salt in the air....

I have used Deoxit once on the ECU connector of the K75 and it worked well but have never had the call to use it at any other time.  Any connector problems are usually solved by repluging or WD40/CRC and once recently I replaced the plug on the fuel tank connector but that was physical damage.
I have worked in the electronics industry as a second trade and have known about Deoxit for some time but it eas ever only to prevent noise from occuring at plug points of sound systems and that type of thing.
Deoxit does work just like it claims and works well but I really don't believe it is the be all and end all for the higher power connectors that are on motorcycles as compared to the pow power in sound systems.

[Zagando]

To answer Duck's question above;

Yes; I lived in Hawaii for 10 years and it was a constant battle with rust and corrosion---but I'm surprised that you posed the question anyway.  A lot of common electrical problems on older bikes such as K-bikes are down to poor connections (especially bad grounds).

Now that I'm in the high, dry desert Southwest I expect I won't have nearly as many problems in that arena but I'm still dealing with the deterioration caused by my previous humid environment.

I have also heard of Deoxit but have never used it.  I suspect that the last post hit the nail on the head as it's probably more suited to indoor hi-fi connections (but still is fine for bikes and such).  The thing I like about  Noalox/anti-sieze is that it's thick and gooey and lasts through all kinds of weather well.

Anyway, the main thrust of my post is to point out the error of recommending dielectric (insulating) grease on any kind of electrical connection---and I hope it is of help to anyone doing electrical maintenance on his/her bike---something that is often overlooked.

Best regards to all,

Jeff

[WayneDW]

good info, thanks.

[frankenduck]

FYI: I have no affiliation with WD-40. 

But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[Zagando]

And I bet a lot of people don't know that WD-40 can actually help add to the corrosion process, either (despite it working fine for short-term uses).  That's another can of worms for another time.

Glad to be of help.

[racinrich]

the mechanical fit of a pin and socket is where conductivity starts.corrosion on the surface causes disruption of current flow and signal.dielectric grease displaces moisture and oxygen ,the key players in corrosion,We use salt on roads and when I did my harness I found corrosion on a good portion of my connections.
To add conductive grease to a connector you are now creating a path for electricity to all other pins and circuits.an exageration of this would be no insulation on any wires, NOT good. the only way this grease could be good is if none of the grease is between other pins ,ONLY on inside of pin and socket not between the space between the pins on the connector body.In the auto industry conduction between circuits are Known as draws.very hard to diagnos do to the intermittent failure.I call them ghosts and ghosts are no fun to chase or catch without a PKE meter proton pack and trap!!! :hehehe :yes remember don't cross the proton beams,this would be a bad thing :lol:

[Zagando]

Who said anything about putting anything between connector pins?

As always, whatever you do, use common sense.

[motodude]

the mechanical fit of a pin and socket is where conductivity starts.corrosion on the surface causes disruption of current flow and signal.dielectric grease displaces moisture and oxygen ,the key players in corrosion,We use salt on roads and when I did my harness I found corrosion on a good portion of my connections.
To add conductive grease to a connector you are now creating a path for electricity to all other pins and circuits.an exageration of this would be no insulation on any wires, NOT good. the only way this grease could be good is if none of the grease is between other pins ,ONLY on inside of pin and socket not between the space between the pins on the connector body.In the auto industry conduction between circuits are Known as draws.very hard to diagnos do to the intermittent failure.I call them ghosts and ghosts are no fun to chase or catch without a PKE meter proton pack and trap!!! :hehehe :yes remember don't cross the proton beams,this would be a bad thing :lol:

+1 Well said.  There's a lot of good information on the 'net but there's a lot of non-information too.  Having a good filter is required.

Tom

[jsb]

So, what I've learned so far from this thread is this:

• Don't use dielectric grease.
• Use dielectric grease.

:dunno2:

[BobZ(IL)]

See post #3.

[frankenduck]

So, what I've learned so far from this thread is this:

• Don't use dielectric grease.
• Use dielectric grease.

:dunno2:

It's just an oil thread in disguise. :eek:

[jsb]

It's just an oil thread in disguise. :eek:

:2thumbup:
They're getting pretty sneaky these days! Sucked me right in.

[racinrich]

find your local bmw dealer talk to the senior tech. he knows more than a clown on a computer on the internet.period

[frankenduck]

Not necessarily.  There's a reason he works in a motorcycle shop, not at NASA.

[CRASH]

find your local bmw dealer talk to the senior tech. he knows more than a clown on a computer on the internet.period

You may be surprised who and what that "clown" on the internet turns out to be sometimes.